Not So Fast Partner

[PlaidJacket]

I read what I thought was an interesting article from over at Practical Golf this morning regarding performance of New vs. Used golf balls. The article doesn't get all into the weeds as far as how the tests were performed other then using a launch monitor with a sand wedge and a driver. Various data points were noted.

Here's a link if anyone is interested - 

https://practical-golf.com/used-golf-balls/

[Shankster]

My dads old league partner would not use a ball with a scuff mark. He'd hit them off into the woods on purpose.

 

He also said Pro V1's are “shite” vs his rock hard whatever's.

 

Same guy that told me I hit the ball too high while his is rolling off the back of the green with no spin.

[DPattGolf]

Really interesting concept for a test. But there was no ball test with nearly close enough damage to be considered switched out (Which was the entire reason for the article by the way). Faded/slightly removed paint does not = scuffed cover. 

[silver & black]

I have personally never found any difference from a brand new ball or one purchased from any of the "lost ball" places. I pay around $10.00 for middle of the road tour balls from the lost balls guys. I can't see the sense in $45.00+ a dozen when I can't tell the difference anyway. That's just me, though.

[MDGolfHacker]

Interesting article but as DPattGolf said, there isn't much of a difference (visibly) between those balls except for more visible scuff marks on the PAR balls.  Sadly, I don't keep balls long enough to see if it makes a difference

 

MDGolfHacker

[tony@CIC]

I read a similar article (maybe on MGS?) comparing 5A balls to brand new with results showing no noticeable difference. Just reaffirms what I always thought. FYI I like going out after we have a big group event at our club. With water retriever in hand I probably pick up 1/2 doz brand new Pro V1's that people bought at our pro shop.

[PING Apologist #9]

Sadly, I don't keep balls long enough to see if it makes a difference

 

MDGolfHacker

Heh, I'm actually thinking of starting a "Survivor Hall of Fame" for the select few of mine that make it all the way to the end of the round. They deserve early retirement if that happens. Kind of like the mission quotas they had for bomber crews in WWII... "If you fly 18 missions and survive, young Mr. Ball, you will earn your way out of the war zone and retire with full honors"

[Nmrfgomes]

Heh, I'm actually thinking of starting a "Survivor Hall of Fame" for the select few of mine that make it all the way to the end of the round. They deserve early retirement if that happens. Kind of like the mission quotas they had for bomber crews in WWII... "If you fly 18 missions and survive, young Mr. Ball, you will earn your way out of the war zone and retire with full honors"

It seems you should also star a Hall of memories for those MIA´s.. put a picture of them after marking them in a wall, if the ball survives both the picture and the ball get to go to the survivor Hall of fame, if not the picture goes booked to al lost souls album.

[PING Apologist #9]

It seems you should also star a Hall of memories for those MIA´s.. put a picture of them after marking them in a wall, if the ball survives both the picture and the ball get to go to the survivor Hall of fame, if not the picture goes booked to al lost souls album.

That's too funny!!! LMAO!

[revkev]

Interesting test - I've seen similar ones with similar results. I'd love to see one with cart path or tree balls - seriously -

 

While I don't buy used balls I tend to not loose many balls and do play mine to death - perhaps I could redefine “death.”

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

[ED13]

I wonder what the results would be if repainted balls were used for the test.  These balls look brand new but who knows what kind of shape they were in.  I don't have the time or energy to research the quality of used balls and their source so I don't buy any to use on the course.  For my backyard putting green I buy blemished balls from a local guy cheap as I am on a ravine which can be a magnet for pitch shots.

 

A few found balls make it into my bag but most go to the kids.

[Charli]

I'm not good enough to tell the difference. I have a buddy that thinks he has to play pro v's and he's a 20. Always makes me laugh because I buy from lostgolfballs and he think buying new is key

[chemclub]

Interesting results that mirror my own experience. I buy the Snells brand new, but even when you skip them off a cart path I don't notice any difference. Like MDgolfhacker, I don't hang on to them for very long anyway.

 

Too bad he didn't say how many shots he hit with each ball.

[sirchunksalot]

That's a really interesting article, thank you. I've looked into research about it, but most of what I've found was from the OEM's stating that you should not use these.

 

I've used these extensively in order to test out different brands to find out what works for me.

 

Honestly, as a player who struggles to break 100, I can't tell a difference between new and used.

 

Sent from my SM-G955U using MyGolfSpy mobile app

[NiftyNiblick]

Here's the major difference.

 

If you play with used balls, you have to mark them

If you play with new balls, you can order them already marked.

 

Throughout New England and beyond, puzzled linksters have asked,

 

Who the hell is Nifty Niblick?

[Trout Bum 1]

I've been wanting to test this theory for a while but never get around to it for multiple reasons.

 

The only thing that bothers me is when there's a burr on the cover, the man nimum damage in that test was pretty mild.

 

Nothing wrong with used balls